Saturday, February 4, 2012

Road Trip: The B-52's anniversary concert

It all began 35 Valentine's Days ago in Athens, Ga.

Veteran pop-rock group the B-52’s are set to play their 35th anniversary gig in the same town where it all began: Athens, Georgia. On Thurs. Feb. 9, the party band will celebrate its long career with an out-of-bounds dance party at the Classic Center in downtown Athens.

On Valentine’s Day, 1977, drummer Keith Strickland, guitarist Ricky Wilson, and vocalists/multi-instrimentalists Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson performed for the first time at a friend’s house in Athens. Their career sky-rocketed from there and they were soon signing record deals and touring the East Coast.

After more than three decades and 20 million albums sold, the B-52’s have still got it. Hits like “Rock Lobster,” “Love Shack,” “Roam,” and “Channel Z” continue to grace the airwaves today. The 35th anniversary celebration this February promises to be a show worthy of a road trip.

Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $40 to $60 (plus applicable fees). Gold and Platinum VIP packages are available. For more info, visit theb52s.com and classiccenter.com. —Lacey Young